Research Areas of the DFPRC

1.    Scope of the DFPRC

The works of the DFPRC focus on the national interests of Ethiopia. Ethiopia's foreign relations with its neighboring states, key regional and global players, and the geopolitics and geostrategic aspects of strategic elements such as the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Horn of Africa are all the focus of this center. 
2.    DFPRC Activities 
The Diplomacy and Foreign Policy Research Center was established to carry out the following activities
o    Conduct research in the diplomacy and foreign policy areas
o    Provide training and capacity building activities
o    Provide consultancy and advisory services 
o    Facilitate academic and community partnership

3.    Research focus areas 
The Diplomacy and Foreign Policy Research Center has five major research areas:
1.    Public Diplomacy 
This group aims to create a common national identity for Ethiopia and produce citizens who are active diplomats to defend the national interest. The main task of this group is to mobilize the public. This group disseminates the findings, issues, and other tasks produced by other research groups. The mobilization of the public in support of the GERD and defending the state regarding the dam is critical. Therefore, this group encompasses national unity, promoting and participating in flagship projects, engaging in digital diplomacy (promoting positive images of the state and actively communicating to the public through media). On issues 
2.    Boarder Conflict Resolution 
As Ethiopia shares borders with six neighboring states, issues of the border play a very crucial role in international relations. This group focuses on the boundary delimitation issues and demarcation issues, resolving border conflicts, and governance of transboundary resources. The core of this group is promoting peaceful co-existence and maintaining national interests.
3.    Refugees and Migrations
The issue of refugees and migrations is closely attached to human security. This group is concerned with the implications of refugees and IDPs on national security and regional security. Ethiopia hosts millions of refugees from neighboring states and states in political crisis. Implications of refugees on the national security of Ethiopia are critical.  
4.    Pan-Africanism and Regional Integration
Ethiopia is considered the mother of Pan-Africanism. Ethiopia has a strong commitment to promoting pan-Africanism and to building the spirit of African solutions to African problems. The state has been committed to the principle of non-interference in sovereign states of Africa. Research groups and thematic areas can be expanded based on the needs of BDU and partners. On issues related to water diplomacy to water diplomacy the center will work closely with the Blue Nile Water Institute of Bahir Dar University.
5.    Geopolitics and Geostrategy
This research group forces on the security issues of the horn of Africa and East Africa. The issues of the Red-sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and other strategic places are dealt with in this group. This group encompasses the entanglements of security, economy, and politics. The research groups of the center can be either increased or reduced as per the interest of the center, the university, and stakeholders. 
4.    Ongoing Research Projects

1.    Title : The Big Powers Involvement in the Horn of Africa and Its Implication on the Geopolitics, Geostrategic, and National Security of Ethiopia, Bahir Dar University

Description: The geopolitical and geostrategic decisiveness of the Horn of Africa is attracting many of the big powers to deeply involve as well as intervene in various affairs of the region. This involvement and intervention in the region is posing both curses and blesses. It is obvious that the Horn of Africa already become a military garrison of big powers. Countries like the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey have established their military bases in Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya. This militarization of the Horn has both an opportunity as well as a risk to the Horn of African countries in general and to Ethiopia in particular. Ethiopia, a landlocked country, bordering all of the Horn of Africa states needs the port of others for its sustenance. Besides, it is building Africa's largest electricity dam on the Nile River which touches the interest of many countries. Moreover, Ethiopia has unresolved boundary conflicts with Sudan in the North West and with Eritreans in the north. Its recent memorandum of understanding with Somaliland to lease an outlet to sea for 50 years also poses another issue to the region and the big powers that are here in the region.  Therefore, we the researchers of this Mega Research Project found this issue critical and has to be studied under the label; “The Big Powers Involvement in the Horn of Africa and Its Implication on the Geopolitics, Geostrategic, and National Security of Ethiopia”. The militarization of this region due to the big powers' involvement in the Horn of Africa and its implication on the geopolitics, geostrategic, and national security of Ethiopia needs to be studied aimed to have a well-informed strategy to exploit the opportunities and tackle the potential risks that might be happened in this region

Researchers: Workeneh Genet (PI),  Dr. Mossa Hussien, Mr.Yayew Genet,  Dr. Endalkachew Bayih, Dr. Birhanu Bitew,  Mr. Tsegaye Eskezia,  Mrs. Bayush Moges,  Mr. Lake Miheret,  Mrs. Mingizem Amare, Mr. Gasahnew Worku

Fund: BDU

2.    Title: Unearthing the Past, Building a Peaceful Future: Border Conflict and Resolution in Africa on the Boma Plateau-Forest Region (Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan) since 1889, Bahir Dar University

Description:  The Boma Plateau is a 28,000 km square ecological and strategic corridor straddling the borders of Ethiopia (Gambela and Southwest regions) and South Sudan (Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria). Reaching elevations of 5,500 feet, this landscape of plains and marshlands is rich in biodiversity—hosting giraffes, lions, and migratory birds—and significant natural resources, including gold and oil. However, since the 1970s, the region has been destabilized by civil war, overhunting, and environmental degradation.

Researchers: Ayele Tariku (PI), Prof.Temesgen Gebayehu,  Mr.Tesfamicae Fentie, Dr.Asrat Araya, Mrs. Silass W/Gebrial, Mr. Demisew Mengstie, Mr. Getahun Kumie, Dr. Bewkeu Dires, Dr. Gedef Abawa, Dr. Mesafint Tarekegn
Fund: BDU
3.    Title: Challenges of Pan- Africanism and Regional Integration Efforts in Africa in the 21st Century

Description: This project aims to critically examine the challenges that Pan-Africanism and regional integration efforts Africa is facing in the 21st century. The challenges include historical divisions and conflicts, divergent national interests, inadequate infrastructure, governance issues, and socio-economic disparities which remain a blockade to unleash trade potentials and optimize resources which Africa endowed with thereby sluggish Africa’s economic transformation path. The study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of these barriers and their root causes, as well as offer practical recommendations to overcome them and mechanisms to achieve the integration goals. By addressing these challenges, the research aims at contributing to the ongoing dialogue and efforts towards strengthening Pan-Africanism and regional integration in Africa then ultimately achieve Africa’s transformation by fostering a more united, prosperous, and resilient continent.

Researchers: Dr. Mesafint Tarekegn (PI), Mr.Yayew Genet , Dr. Embiale Beyene, Dr. Wuhibegezer Ferede, Mrs. Silas W/Gabriel, Dr. Tigab Bezie, Dr. Mohammed Yimam,  Dr. Gubaye Assaye

Fund: BDU

4.    Title: A Region on the Move’: Investigating the Political Economy of Migration, Human Trafficking and Refugee Dynamics and Governance in the Horn of Africa

Description: The Horn of Africa is Africa's most conflict-ridden region, defined by complex migration, trafficking, and refugee crises driven by instability, poverty, and environmental degradation. This "region on the move" (IOM, 2022) involves an intricate interplay between state and international actors, with profound implications for regional governance. Notably, the region hosts a higher proportion of female migrants than global averages, with women dominating refugee populations while men lead labor migration. Movement typically follows three irregular routes, Northern (toward Europe), Eastern (toward the Gulf), and Southern (toward South Africa)—creating a political economy marked by sophisticated networks of transit, collusion, and exploitation.

Researchers: Dr. Mohammed Yimam (PI), Dr. Embiale Beyene, Dr. Bewketu Dires, Dr. Meseret    Zewudu, Mr. Kumilachew Shiferaw, Mr. Birhanu Gedife

Fund: BDU

Besides to aforementioned ongoing internal research projects, the Diplomacy and Foreign Policy Research Centre (DFPRC) at BDU has developed and submitted the following proposals/ concept notes in response to external grant calls.